Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Chicago Cubs

Cubs make big free agency splash, reach tentative deal with Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga: reports

Imanaga is expected to get a physical in Chicago later this week

By Chantz Martin Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top sports headlines for January 9 Video

Fox News Flash top sports headlines for January 9

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Join Fox News for access to this content
Plus special access to select articles and other premium content with your account - free of charge.
By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.
Please enter a valid email address.
By entering your email and pushing continue, you are agreeing to Fox News' Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive.

The Chicago Cubs appear to have made one of the biggest moves of the MLB offseason Tuesday after the team tentatively agreed to a contract with Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga, according to multiple reports.

The southpaw would still need to undergo a medical review, scheduled for Thursday in Chicago.

Imanaga spent the past eight seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, Japan's highest level of baseball widely considered the second-best baseball league in the world behind MLB. 

He posted a 3.18 ERA in 1,002⅔ innings in his time in NPB.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Shota Imanaga pitches during a game

Shota Imanaga of Team Japan pitches in the first inning against Team USA during the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park on March 21, 2023 in Miami, Fla. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Although Imanaga is not as highly regarded as compatriot Yoshinobu Yamamoto, he is still an intriguing potential mid-rotation starter for the Cubs. Yamamoto signed a lucrative deal with the Dodgers earlier this offseason. 

RACHEL BALKOVEC, FIRST FEMALE MANAGER IN MINOR LEAGUES, NAMED MARLINS DIRECTOR OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: REPORTS

The Dodgers also signed pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani to an unprecedented long-term contract. The two-time American League MVP spent the first six years of his professional baseball career in the U.S. with the Los Angeles Angels.

The 30-year-old Imanaga throws a variety of pitches effectively. His fastball has reached speeds in the mid-90s, and he can also throw an effective splitter, slider and curveball.

Shota Imanag pitches in the second inning

Shota Imanaga of Team Japan pitches in the second inning against Team USA during the World Baseball Classic championship at loanDepot Park March 21, 2023, in Miami, Fla. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Imanaga underwent a procedure in 2020 to repair his damaged shoulder, and he missed the COVID-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Imanaga competed in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, starting against the U.S. in the gold medal game.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.